All persons in this work of fiction are figments of my imagination and as such, are over the age of 18, the age of consent for figments.
I am a nerd. I'm pretty sure I was born one. In reality, it may go back to before I was born. My parents named me Eugene. Have you ever heard of anyone named Eugene that was cool. I sure as hell haven't. Growing up, I had a few friends, like minded kids who, like me, shunned sports or other activities that our peers thought were important. As I grew older, I became gawky, awkward, a skinny kid, one clumsy step away from disaster. The only thing I had going for me was a big throbbing organ, my brain. I was smart. In Junior and Senior high school, it didn't take long for the less cranially endowed to seek me out for help. To the cool kids, I was a tool, a means to an end. If I could help them keep their precious GPA up, they would tolerate my presence, at least in private. Most were careful not to be seen with me in public, relying on a study hall or remote corner of the library lest their shortcomings become known. A few invited me to their homes, they were the ones who were the most embarrassed. I didn't mind. My parents always taught me to help those less fortunate, something I would carry into adulthood.
My life wasn't made any easier due to the fact I was a late bloomer. I was well into my junior year before puberty started making a noticeable difference in my appearance, and not for the better. My voice, already high and squeaky, started to oscillate between that and a deeper, but no less annoying sound, usually several times in every sentence I spoke, hell, sometimes during a single word. Then came the bane of every teenager that ever existed. ACNE. While annoying for most, mine required medical intervention to keep me from looking like Freddie Kruger. I would be 2 years into college before nature completed its remodel of my person.
One of the few people in high school that treated me decent was Valerie Frohman. She was head cheerleader, senior class president and eventual valedictorian. She was from one of the most prominent families in town, expected from birth to carry on the family legacy. She was a bubbly, vivacious person, completely incapable of guile or deceit. She was never ashamed to be seen with me, in fact, she protected me from the jocks who tried to make my life, and all others like me, miserable. I was in awe of this amazing young woman who, with a piercing stare and a stamp of her foot, could send the biggest linebacker scurrying for cover.
I mostly tutored her during school hours, but as classes got more demanding in later years, I was summoned to her house on a regular basis, generally 1-2 times a week. I had never met anyone more determined to succeed. Sometimes by sheer force of will, she would grind through a problem until she beat it. Failure was NOT an option.
One evening, late in our senior year, we sat talking after a particularly difficult session.
"Whew." She groaned. "I think I finally got it. Thanks."
"My money was always on you." I grinned.
"What would I do without you, Eugene?" She smiled. "Friends like you are hard to come by."
I swallowed hard. "Friend?"
"Well, yes." She said. "Why?"
"You are the most popular girl at school." I explained. "And I'm a nerd. I think it may violate a law of physics or something."
She seemed almost hurt.
"I'm sorry, Val." I apologized. "All the other kids I help see me as a necessary evil, a resource to be exploited. You are the only one who ever treated me as a social equal. I consider you my friend, I just didn't expect you to reciprocate. You caught me off guard."
"Eugene." She said, looking into my eyes. "Initially, I was like that too. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but over time, I saw how genuine and caring you are. You never asked for anything from me, money or...she raised an eyebrow."
"I would NEVER do that!" I exclaimed.
"I know." She admitted, patting my hand. "But you need to understand, the 'cool' kids don't do anything that doesn't benefit them. They are predatory and opportunistic. I was expecting you to do...I don't even know what, but you never did. It made me think. You may well be the only true friend I have."
I sat, thinking, stunned by her admission. Here I thought her life was perfect. Boy did I get that wrong.
"I'm sorry, Val." I apologized, AGAIN. "They treated me bad, I didn't expect them to do it to you as well."
Later that night, as I showered, I thought about what Val had told me. Makes me glad to be a nerd. We may be socially awkward outcasts, but we treat each other better than that.
After the final push, our exams were over. We were on cruise control until graduation in a little over a week. I didn't see Val during that time, she was too busy. I did get an invitation to her grad party, but wasn't sure I was going. A day with 'those' people, would be at best, tedious and I wasn't expecting 'best'.
Graduation Day
Long, boring, bloody hell, just get me the fuck outta here so I can get on with my life. Watching 300 people, most of whom had no idea I even existed, walk across the stage and receive their diplomas was excruciating. The only bright spot was Val's valedictory address. She spoke of the future with hope and anticipation. It was eloquent and well written, no surprise there. What did surprise me was her closing statement.
"I would not be standing here if it weren't for those who helped me through the years. My teachers, my parents and friends and one special person who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. To all, Thank You."
She never said my name, but locked eyes with me as she spoke that final line. I knew who she meant.
After the ceremony, I was more than ready to leave. Crowds always made me nervous. Making a beeline for the exit doors, I hear someone call my name.
"Eugene!! The voice called. "EUGENE WAIT!!"
I stopped and turned towards the sound. Val was plowing through the crowd headed my way.
"Wow." She panted. "Wasn't sure you heard me. Thanks for waiting." She hugged me. "You are coming to my party, aren't you?"
"I..." I sputtered.
She frowned. "You aren't, are you?"
"Val, I really want to." I explained. "But you'll be the only one there I even remotely care about. I can't expect you to ignore the other guests. I'll be miserable. Can we get together later?"
She cheered up slightly. "I'd like that, but the party won't be the same without you."
"Ok." I said, hugging her again. "Text me when you're free and we'll do something."
"Can't wait." She kissed my cheek, then blushed. "Sorry." Then ran off before I could respond.
What was that? I thought. Strange behavior. Must be the stress of the day.
A few days later, I got the text I was waiting for. She asked me to come over for a swim and lunch.
I arrived at the house at the specified time and smiled when she opened the door.
"Hey Eugene." She beamed. "Come in."
She led me through the house to the pool in the back yard.
"I didn't know you had a pool." I observed.
"Well, other than the path to my room, you've not seen much of the place." She giggled.
"True." I admitted. "I was here to work, not play."
"Not today." She chirped. "You can change in the pool house, I'll see you back here when you're done."
Walking back after changing, I saw Val. Holy Shit she looked gorgeous!. At 5'8", she's almost as tall as I am. Shoulder length brunette hair with red highlights pulled into a ponytail. Piercing amber-brown eyes in a face that would make an angel jealous. She was in a one piece orange suit that accented her figure. Long legs, toned abs and smallish, but perfect for her, breasts. I stopped dead, staring, unable to look away.
Eventually I became aware of Val trying to talk to me. "Eugene, damnit!" She snapped. "Hello!"
Shaking my head, I sputter. " Sorry, lost it there for a second."
"A lot more than a second." She grinned, spinning around.
My God! Her ass was just as incredible as the rest of her. Perfect in every way.
